title: Physiological mechanisms that underlie the effects of interactional unfairness on deviant behavior: the role of cortisol activity.
abstract: Although experiencing unfairness is a primary source of stress, there are surprisingly few studies that have examined the physiological underpinnings of unfairness. Drawing from social self-preservation theory, we derive predictions regarding the effects of interactional unfairness on activity in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis, which is one of the body's primary hormonal systems for responding to stress. Using an experimental design with objective physiological measures, we found support for our hypothesis that interactional unfairness triggers the release of cortisol by the HPA axis. This cortisol activity in turn mediated the effects of interactional unfairness on deviant behavior. This indirect effect remained significant after controlling for established attitudinal and self-construal mediators of the justice-deviance relationship. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings for the occupational stress and organizational justice literatures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Portland State University.
authors.forename: Liu-Qin
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Valdosta State University.
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.affiliation: Department of Management, Michigan State University.
authors.forename: Russell E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of South Florida.
authors.forename: Maureen W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Groer
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of South Florida.
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Salomon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000378:metabolism; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009014:Morals; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone